The influential National Movement of Young Legislators (NMYL) will hold its Visayas Congress at Bohol Tropics here on October 22-24, tackling the critical role of young leaders in responding to various concerns of both local and national applications. One assembly focus is on how Bohol has gained momentum in attaining its vision of a prime eco-cultural tourism destination and a balanced agro-industrial province, according to congress host NMYL-Bohol President Alfonso Damalerio II. NMYL National President Cecilia Claire Reyes will lead the congress. She is a provincial board member of Isabela as in the case of Damalerio who sits in the Sangguniang Panlalawigan of this province. Damalerio said the congress have crucial parts that include a technical session on the computerization of the 2010 elections by an expert from the Commission on Elections (Comelec).

NMYL National Vice President Karen Villanueva, a Bais City councilor who is the Visayas Congress director, said the movement has been pursuing the advancement of new politics, achievement of national solidarity and strengthening of local government through progressive ideals and visions of the youth. The increasing role of young leaders will be stressed during the assembly, according to Villanueva, citing their dynamism in saving the country's development framework from political and economic uncertainties.

Rep. Edgar Chatto, former NMYL national president, will keynote the opening rites of the assembly which other guests include National Youth Commission (NYC) Chairman/Chief Executive Officer Richard Alvin Nalupta, NYC Commissioner for the Visayas Benjie Oliva, and former NMYL National Capital Region President Bernadette Dy, a Quezon City councilor. Chatto, who led NMYL when he was also the national president of the League of Vice Governors of the Philippines , will be introduced as keynote speaker by NMYL National Executive Vice Pres. Julienne Baronda, who is an Iloilo City councilor.

Bohol Gov. Erico Aumentado will welcome the delegates, who are local lawmakers of ages 18-35 at the time of their election. They are either sitting now as vice governors, vice mayors, provincial board members, city and municipal councilors, or federation presidents of Sangguniang Kabataan and Association of Barangay Councils. Lawyer Antonio Oposa, Jr. will also come to handle the technical session on environmental performance audit while Dir. James Jimenez of the Comelec-Education and Information Department will talk on poll automation/computerization. Another congress highlight will be the launching of the NMYL Search for Kampeon ng Kabataan on October 24, during which the organization will hold its national board meeting in the same venue. As president of the host provincial chapter, Damalerio will tour the delegates to Bohol 's leading attractions as they likewise conduct their eco-tourism benchmarking. (Ven rebo Arigo)